Cold for good cause: Many reasons why plungers make frigid dip for Special Olympians

Monday

Feb 4, 2013 at 3:15 AMFeb 4, 2013 at 4:15 PM

HAMPTON — Tim McClure dives into the icy cold Atlantic Ocean during the Penguin Plunge year after year for a young girl who he said saved his life.

By Michelle Kingstonmkingston@fosters.com

HAMPTON — Tim McClure dives into the icy cold Atlantic Ocean during the Penguin Plunge year after year for a young girl who he said saved his life.

On Feb. 20, 2003, McClure, of Hillsborough, was getting ready to head to Rhode Island to see Great White perform at the Station nightclub with his friend.

The morning of the concert, his friend called to say he could not make it — his wife was in labor.

“He called to tell me we couldn't go. We didn't go,” McClure said. “His daughter, Alicia, was born that day.”

Just after 11 p.m. that night, a fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off during the concert. Some 100 people died and more than 200 people were injured. The fire was one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.

“Alicia was born with Down syndrome and she saved my life. That is why I do this,” McClure said, adding he has his Great White ticket framed in his bedroom to remind him every day.

He dunked in the 43-degree water on Sunday during the 14th annual Penguin Plunge, which is the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics of New Hampshire. McClure raised $3,500 this year.

According to Special Olympics officials, a plunger is only required to raise $350.

The average participant raised $765 this year.

The event, altogether, brought in $665,975, with $493,475 of that coming just from Sunday's event. On Saturday, about 500 students from surrounding high school's plunged.

Sunday brought in 644 other daring people, many dressed in weddings gowns for the theme of the event, “Going to the Chapel.”

Merrimack County Sheriff Cpl. Paul Montray, who has been supporting the Special Olympics since 1990 and plunged this year for the 12th time, sported a white silk dress, complete with a trail and lace trim, which he accented with a veil, purple flowers, an oversized diamond ring, and, you guessed it, cherry red lipstick.

Before diving in he said, “I'm plunging in this and hopefully I'm coming out.”

He sprinted down the sand hill on Hampton Beach in his dress during the first of three waves of people. The different shifts of plungers were necessary because there were 81 different fundraising groups diving in on Sunday.

With cheers coming from the supporters and screeches coming from those whose toes first hit the water, Jeff Milender and his team, Buckley's Frozen Seamen, casually tossed around a football in the ocean, acting as if it was just another warm summer day.

“Let's put this way,” Milender said. “I'm not going to get any warmer very quickly so it doesn't really matter.”

Milender said the water did not feel bad at all, but he is used to it.

“I was an original plunger 14 years ago,” he said.

A majority of those who run into the water, whether they are wearing white dresses or bikinis, said the first piece of clothing they change when they get out of the water is their socks.

Plungers continue to come back year after year no matter how cold their toes may be because the event is for a good cause.

Jackie Cote, of Dover, attended for the fifth time this year.

“The adrenaline rush is addictive,” she said. “The worst part is the wind when you are coming out of the water. It takes your breath away.”

Some of the participants were also jumping in the water for relatives who have passed away.

A group of five women, who have been friends since high school, raised money for the cause and ran into the water for Jacqui McGee's brother, Eric Bourque, who died at age 23. He was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We jump in bathing suits and tutus,” McGee said. “This is our fifth year and we keep coming back. Once you do it once, you just keep coming back.”

Hampton and Berwick, Maine Fire and Rescue were on scene with New Hampshire Fish and Game in case any emergencies came from the event, where temperatures were in the mid-20s.